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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sk85 on February 25, 2011, at 9:34:54
How long did it take for you to see effects on OCD? Could I hope to get anything out of 40 mg per day (trying to avoid the sides, esp the anticholinergic ones) or does OCD require higher doses as is the case with SSRIs?
At 3 weeks into the regime I'm seeing little improvement. Maybe slightly improved anxiety but OCD symptoms are still up and running.
Posted by Roslynn on February 25, 2011, at 14:08:03
In reply to Anafranil for OCD - how did it work for you?, posted by sk85 on February 25, 2011, at 9:34:54
Hi, my doctor just raised me to 100mg. I think my starting dose was 50mg. But my primary issue is depression, which the med has helped.
Roslynn
Posted by linkadge on February 27, 2011, at 19:14:54
In reply to Re: Anafranil for OCD - how did it work for you?, posted by Roslynn on February 25, 2011, at 14:08:03
I would say that anafranil is probably the most effective antidepressant (on par with MAOI's).
Even more so than amitriptyline
Linkadge
Posted by Laney on February 28, 2011, at 14:01:11
In reply to Re: Anafranil for OCD - how did it work for you?, posted by linkadge on February 27, 2011, at 19:14:54
Does anafranil cause the weight gain that Nortriptyline causes. I gained 22 lbs. on Nort.
Thanks!
Laney
Posted by Brainbeard on March 2, 2011, at 14:37:00
In reply to Anafranil for OCD - how did it work for you?, posted by sk85 on February 25, 2011, at 9:34:54
Clomipramine (brand name Anafranil) only really does something for my OCD at 225mg, and that with Luvox (fluvoxamine) as co-medication, to increase the mother drug and decrease the noradrenergic metabolite.
Even at this high dose, and with accompanying high blood levels, the effects on my OCD are subtle rather than impressive. I'm still able to get into dark moods too. But I'm not lethargic, apathetic or indifferent. I feel more real than when I was on a high monodose of Luvox.
Posted by Laney on March 2, 2011, at 18:53:53
In reply to Re: Anafranil for OCD - how did it work for you?, posted by Brainbeard on March 2, 2011, at 14:37:00
BB,
Did you gain any weight with it?
Thanks!
Laney
Posted by Laney on March 2, 2011, at 18:56:00
In reply to Re: Anafranil for OCD - how did it work for you?, posted by linkadge on February 27, 2011, at 19:14:54
Where did you find your data? Also, does it have the weight gaining properties that Nortriptyline has?
Thanks much,
Laney
Posted by Brainbeard on March 3, 2011, at 7:40:43
In reply to Re: Anafranil for OCD - how did it work for you?, posted by Laney on March 2, 2011, at 18:53:53
Laney,
If I have gained weight, it's only a little. I try not to eat too much...
Posted by sk85 on March 3, 2011, at 12:08:30
In reply to Re: Anafranil for OCD - how did it work for you?, posted by Brainbeard on March 2, 2011, at 14:37:00
> Clomipramine (brand name Anafranil) only really does something for my OCD at 225mg, and that with Luvox (fluvoxamine) as co-medication, to increase the mother drug and decrease the noradrenergic metabolite.
>
> Even at this high dose, and with accompanying high blood levels, the effects on my OCD are subtle rather than impressive. I'm still able to get into dark moods too. But I'm not lethargic, apathetic or indifferent. I feel more real than when I was on a high monodose of Luvox.Wow such a high dose anafranil and luvox and still modest effects on OCD. It shows how heterogenous this illness can be in regards to response people get from meds. Haven't you considered adding in low dose Seroquel? Some people get great response for OCD with that med as an add-on medication (not much me though). I notice you take dexamph, isn't this counterproductive for OCD? I have generally bad experience with amphetamines (Ritalin made me depressed in a way that even antidepressants didn't work).
At the moment I feel pretty OK with 40 mg clomipramine + 15 mg mirtazapine i.e. my obsessions have toned down quite a lot, although the effects wax and wane as on some days I feel almost OCD free and on others not (but that beats my state before anafranil). It might be my impression but anafranil works better for my compulsions and mirtazapine for obsessions. But I'm still considering upping the dose if only I could build more tolerance to the anticholinergic side-effects...
Posted by Brainbeard on March 3, 2011, at 14:37:44
In reply to Re: Anafranil for OCD - how did it work for you?, posted by sk85 on March 3, 2011, at 12:08:30
>Haven't you considered adding in low dose Seroquel? Some people get great response for OCD with that med as an add-on medication (not much me though).
Do they really? I kinda hate Seroquel, thinking it's a hyped piece of thin air. I know that some people are enthusiastic about it though..
>I notice you take dexamph, isn't this counterproductive for OCD? I have generally bad experience with amphetamines (Ritalin made me depressed in a way that even antidepressants didn't work).
Well, Phiddipus told me that dexamph is actually a third line med for OCD in some authorative handbook. Which one was that, P? Concerta/Ritalin can really get me hooked in an OCD loop. Dex doesn't seem to foster full-blown OCD, and it can actually help with focusing on tasks without too much OCD-b*llsh*t. But it does make me more anxious in general and especially when confronted with unexpected situations.
I would like to try mirtazapine sometime, although I'm afraid of the weight gain.
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